We’re ready to jump on the speculation machine after today’s leak from Native Instruments of what we’re calling the Kontrol X2 Kontrol F1, a brand new controller from the Traktor team that features a 4×4 grid of true RGB pads designed to work with the new Traktor 2.5. See the full photo inside, as well as an incredible prediction mockup of the device made by one of our forum members over one year ago.

Exciting Screencaptures

We couldn’t resist snapping some screencaps to get a better look at what the labels on the buttons are. Here’s the best main shot of the face of the Kontrol F1 dj controller:

Additionally, here’s a capture of the new sample decks remix decks- notice that they have sample groups associated with them with different color assignments for each sample that correspond to what the controller is showing on the pads – much like in Ableton with an APC or Launchpad.

And finally, a screencap of a shift key being held down on the controller and what it changes in the sample deck display – seems to be an easy way to enable each of the modes (Key Lock, FX On/Off/Cue/Loop Mode).

Our Psychic Forum Member

We saw the Kontrol X2 Kontrol F1 coming quite a while ago, but we’re pretty sure that the award for “best prediction mockup” goes to forum member joostiisme last year in this forum post in which he showed off his concept of what he called the “Kontrol FX2”. He also predicted two other partner controllers – if you’d like, take a look for yourself

Traktor 2.5 Update

Perhaps the most important element of introducing this type of controller is noting that Traktor Pro 2 currently doesn’t have any type of sampling capabilities that would make the F1 an effective controller. We’re predicting an update to Traktor similar to the short-lived version of Traktor that shipped with the first batches of Kontrol S4s. This new Traktor version might feature enhanced sampling capabilities, including group loading of samples, the ability to assign colors to samples, cue points and maybe even keys?

Why It’s The Kontrol X2 Kontrol F1

It’s important to justify our speculation a bit, so we thought we’d point out a few more clues that indicate that we’re not simply looking at a new all-in-one or type of Traktor controller.

Price Discount – Native Instruments had a strong price break on the X1 for the last few months, usually a good sign that a new product in that line is coming around the bend.

Tag Team With The S2 – The Traktor Kontrol S2 puts samples on the back burner for form factor, and the addition of this controller will fill that void nicely.

Rounding Out The Product Lines – There’s a clear gap in the X series of controllers, namely the control of samples.

I’m actually more interested in the software update that will have to correspond with the new controller. I tried the Bridge with Serato and found that it was a little cumbersome in that there was no way to load clips from within the SSL browser, which limited the on-the-fly capabilities in my mind, but it appears that this new approach to the sample decks is built in a similar manner as the sequencer window in Live, but will hopefully allow live clip (sample) loading direct from the Traktor browser.

I’m also still hoping to see some form of elastic beatgridding similar to the warping capabilities in Live…

Anonymous

This seems like a stab at the MIDI Fighter Pros if you ask me

EuphoricF

When Traktor is getting more complicated soon we will need a physics-degree to make music.. ;-)

The way I see it, it’s 16 samples per deck instead of 4, with the ability to stop and play samples, add effects, reverse playback, change the size of the sample, browse for new samples, sync to the tempo, edit the sample, monitor the samples, ad keylock, delete samples, change the color of the sample, change the pitch and the speed and capture new samples from playback.
I think sample banks can be stoped and play back in columns of four, or play independently with the color pads. All 16 samples seem to respon to the Deck transport controls and Time Code.
Triggering of single samples seems to be a one/off, loop and cue/up styles.
There is probably a way to load and recall group or set samples, all 16 samples at the same time.
Volume control seems to be laid out for each column of 4 samples ( faders ), but also for single sample atenuation ( knobs ).
And of course, this control would most likely be used also as a general MIDI controller for other software as well.

Wow, the innovation this will bring to the DJ community will be unmatched yet again. Here is my hopes for this controller, please let there be some way to save a series of samples in a group to make a preset. This would allow a performer to instantly change all loops in one deck. I think this will replace people using the Maschine as a performance tools, and better allow people customize their controller to help them perform. It would be nice to eventually see a mixer unit so that with two of these new controllers 0ne/two x1s and a mixer unit a person would have complete control over Traktor’s new sample based add-on and ultimately a controllerist dream.

I am really interested in seeing what this will do as far as functionality to the sample decks for those of us who already own the S4 along with the APC40

JuanSOLO

“notice that they have sample groups associated with them with different color assignments for each sample that correspond to what the controller is showing on the pads – much like in Ableton with an APC or Launchpad.” Only WAY better, SO COOL! Again Traktor making Ableton look primitive in realms of MIDI editing and LED feedback for controllers.
joostiisme a.k.a Nostradamus should get a couple free ones.

Quenepas

This is how companies save R&D money. Crowdsourcing has been established as a trend and many companies are benefiting from it. It’s easy for a company such as NI to search the web/forums looking for trends and what people exactly want to deliver accurately. That said, I love these modular type of gadgets so you can pretty much have a setup pretty much spot on to what you want. I see this being a great seller for NI.

JuanSOLO

I really applaud NI for this. They really HAVE kept their ear to the ground about what users want in terms of midi mapping and LED feedback. They are killing it on this angle, while companies like Ableton probably havent even noticed it yet. Althogh my APC40 was made for Live, it’s so much easier to map in Traktor as well as giving the user WAY more customization abilities. I hope other companies like Bitwig and Ableton start paying attention to what NI is establishing here, because it’s magic. Colored clips updating LEDs, an obvious idea that has been overlooked until now.

I see a capture / delete button on there….live sample grabbing? yess!!

D Witt

I hope these are going to be reasonably price. If priced anywhere over $200 I would just stick with my mpd26

metachemical

I love/hate reading these kinds of threads – there are always a load of negative assho*les who just have to pick at every new piece of gear simply because… well they are assho*les? I have no idea. Like every new piece of gear, it will be useful for some and not for others. I am bored to death with 4 channel controllers, as it’s not what I want to do. I really like Traktor, but as a producer who wants to “play” his own stuff, this looks perfect for me. I used to dj, so I’m comfortable with a dj layout, I love traktor, but I also want to be able to control my tracks with traktor but have control over individual elements of the track. Ableton seems like the perfect answer, though I love NI’s stuff and don’t need the DAW elements (and price) of Live. A couple of these controllers, a soundcard and a mixer (or X1 as a mixer) becomes a pretty inexpensive and powerful option if this does everything I think it does. I just can’t fu*king understand why there are always a few co*ksmokers who have to dump on DJTT and every new piece of gear that dosen’t fit what they want to do. You don’t like it? Don’t use it.

I couldn’t imagine something LESS useful for DEEJAYS. I’ve been waiting for an X2 hoping it would be a modular deck replacement with more DEEJAY friendly features than the X1 (which I own and love) but this is the opposite of that.

Minister Mitch

Just wondering…. Is DJTT not involved with the development of this controller ?
It seems that NI is taking Traktor in a more to the Midi Fighter/controllism direction…
Also, I assumed that Ean helped NI with the development of the S4… (correct me if I’m wrong)

I know that the DJTT guys have seen or know more about this controller…
Stop teasing DJTT !! Show us the good stuff !! :P

Pedroferreirapulido

completely lost interest in it with this video! i think it is nice and
understandable that NI chooses to go through the path of “sample
evolution”, but as a traditional DJ that just loves pure mixing and
doesn’t give a rats’ass to sampling and mashup style songs, this is not
for me. I understand this is one of the ways to go, but i hope soon
enough NI will launch something to compete with A&H K2… This is
definitely for different purposes.

Also, a digital mixer the size of an X1 with an A2DJ incorporated, THAT
would be something i’d like. This ?! nhééé… this is for the beatjuggle
fanatics and the sample enthusiasts and in my opinion, if you have some
kind of (let’s just say it)… well… BRAIN… then you spend sometime
learning ableton and just go with it.

true dissapointment for me, but i’m sure lots will like it and i understand the line of thinking.

Redrolla

s4 seemless integration pleeze

Timmaughan

‘There’s a clear gap in the X series of controllers, namely the control of samples.’

No, the X1 does this fine. The gap is for a jogless mixer controller to sit aside the X1. But as ever NI seems fixated with controllerists. Sigh.

Pedroferreirapulido

completely agree. they are clearing betting on the controllerism market. understandable but a pitty that they still haven’t figured out that if they’d make a X1 size mixer with integrated audio soundcard, it would sell like hell!

antiMACtax

I agree, and was really excited in seeing a strict midi mixer with/without interface. I still like what I’m seeing with this, but if they do decide for the mixer I hope it is twice the width of an x1 and have optional audio interface. LED feedback on rotary pots are a must! X1-effects, X2-samples, M1-mixer. Heaven!

antiMACtax

I agree, and was really excited in seeing a strict midi mixer with/without interface. I still like what I’m seeing with this, but if they do decide for the mixer I hope it is twice the width of an x1 and have optional audio interface. LED feedback on rotary pots are a must! X1-effects, X2-samples, M1-mixer. Heaven!

Faderswagger

Yeah, that’s because Serato’s already got the market cornered on the old fogies who just want to mix two tracks and claim that anything else is “cheating”

I am still hoping NI also decides to build a version with a jogwheel as I sketched once for fun. So almost like one side of a S2 or S4. So you can have your own mixer combined with two of those (or four and still be very mobile)!

Small amendment to the drawing: It’s got 2×5 buttons (the yellow/black) over the 4×4 colored rows. Due to the offset on the secound lit yellow button and the secound fader and the fact that the one black button is centered above the center top two multicolored buttons.

Huh? It’s most lightly got 4 rotary knobs on top for Dry/Wet, FX1, FX2 and FX3…Shown in the photo…

Joostiisme

Haha, I thought it was pretty close to my mockup.

I’d be horored if my idea becomes reality.
Would be great if they’d made some of the other mockups too.

Diesel Logie

Consider this as an recognition, may be you should take your skills seriously and find better ways to apply it.

NIowesyoumoney

Ask for some dollars!

NIowesyoumoney

Ask for some dollars!

Hugo

No offense, but do you really think they didn’t had the idea before you drew it ? Product development cycles take years, they probably had this in their minds for a least a couple of years…

Campark43

No offense, but do you really think you hav ent the hadded the wtf? Wouldn’t b surprised if they copied the design, unllike some people

Coldfuzion

I feel that they did take your idea and adjust it a bit. Maybe like Diesel Logie said, you could make a career move into maybe the DJTT dept, or hell maybe even move to NI’s research & dev team? :D

Hell i’d definitely try.

SkyTek

I am inclined to believe there is something more in the work with this new Bitwig software release. On clue is the colored pads, which may reflect the clips in the Able…..I mean Bitwig GUI…….Things that make you go Hmmmm

Frantory

Uh oh………Midi-Fighter, we have a problem.

Anonymous

yeah, audio output is also on his way.
new maschine update will follow later this year. will be increadible

emulator

mmmh, they will also take audio output into the new x2.

Irshu88

If i’m correct – You can see Richie Hawtin using it in this video below – Im so damn sure thats the new controller from them

If it ends up looking like that picture, it’s also very exciting for Ableton users…

Anonymous

A 4×4 pad layout doesn’t really seem plausible. I’m staring at my X1 and looking at the mockup, and what makes sense to me would be 2 rows of 4 pads on the bottom, followed by 2 rows of 4 buttons above them, with 4 sliders above that, then 8 knobs on the top.

That seems to make sense if you think about it as a controller for the sample decks in Traktor. (2 decks with 4 slots each) with the sliders being for volume perhaps and the knobs for filters and such ? The buttons could be for loading groups of samples at a time and maybe locking key and FX toggle ? Can’t see a use for the colours on the pads though.

These are just my thoughts. What do you guys think ?

Anonymous

The more buttons and knobs and faders the better.;) That controller might just be a hybrid like some people are thinking, mixing Maschine and Traktor together in some way.

I’d also wan’t at least 16 Buttons for Cue Point and Sample Deck control.

scamo

derp

except that the leaked picture has 16 pads…

Anonymous

Lol the “leaked picutre” is the first picutre. The second one is a mockup by a forum member 1 year ago.

Please read the article before replying to a comment ..

Michael

Twisted – you can clearly see 16 RGB pads in the NI picture, further more both the leak and the mock up have 16 pads – please follow your own advice…

I was planning on picking up an X1 and a Midi Fighter classic, but will wait and see what these look like to see if I need to make that an X2 and a Midi Fighter…oh heck…who am I kidding, I will probably get both an X1 and an X2 AND a Midi Fighter!

I just want to point out that this is not a NI “Leak”… It’s a controlled sneak peek teaser through their Twitter account specifically made to create a lot buzz about a new upcoming product.
The word “LEAK” is misleading.

Spacecamp

Sure, it’s a teaser. But it’s also a controlled leak. Most leaks actually are, especially in product release season. See every “iPhone prototype found in wild” story. Except for that one where Apple got the police to raid that dude’s house.

nope. controlled leaks are common place, and still referred to as “leaks”

Jrockin629

all of it is Marketing. You think Ean played with the new MF hoping no one was going to record it?

paw_20

indeed. NI emailed me the video link, and all i’m registered for is TSD2

Jesus III

I read about this on other blogs and mabe I don’t see something everybody else is seeing but why does this have to be a new Traktor controller?
For me the 4×4 pads indicate that it’s gonna be part of a new Maschine Hardware…

Gavin

“Follow our brand new @Traktor channel for all the latest Traktor information and a sneak peak of some new #Traktor hardware!”

DJ Freesoul

Would love to see some Ean Golden special mappings for this. Oh wait. He’s working for Vestax… :) (Thats ironicly speaking :))

Dennis Parrott

awww c’mon…. Ean & Co. are supporting the S4 and S2 with tricked-out mappings. His Vestax affiliations aren’t exclusive. I predict that there will be some X2 love given to the masses once it hits the market!

joostiisme design is off the chain! I bet some designer at NI saw it, put his name over it and called it a day. joostiisme you better get some compensation! lol

Joostiisme

Compensation would be great, but not likely.
An e-mail noting that I was first would be great for my ego.
A visit to NI headquarters would be the best!

Michielygil

if color coding of cue points arrives in traktor and it will match the pad colors of this thing, that would be such a workflow improvement! Untill then it’s a mwah for this thing.

Cybertrash

This looks interesting… Like NI’s answer to the Xone K2, It’ll be fun to see it revealed, I think that integration with Traktor will probably be it’s major selling point (as compared to the K2) but the K2 will probably be more versatile.